Electric culinary utensil



July 4, 1939. R. E. GUNTHER 2,164,813

Y ELECTRIC CULINARY UTENSIL Fild Sept. 8, 1936 2 She'ets-Sheet 1 Patented July 4, 1939 UNITED: STATES PATEN'l orics 4 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement inelectric culinary utensil, designed to provide a means of cooking by electricity at an extremely low cost.

5 It is a feature of my invention to provide a heating element cast directly in the utensil, where the utensil is formed of metal or other castable material. In this way, all of the heat'developed by the element must be transmitted to the uten- 1 all, as there is no other avenue of escape. It may be seen that such a construction must be extremelyeflicient, and will permit the utensil to be heated, and remain hot, at an extremely low cost.

i It is a further feature of my invention to provide a seal, by means of which all moisture is kept out of the heating element. By the use of this seal, it is possible for me to provide a cooking utensil containing a heating element, which go utensil may be immersed in water,. and washed. This is a feature of extreme importance, as every electric utensil with which I am familiar must be washed merely by wiping oil the surface thereof. Immersion of such former heating element 25 utensils would seriously damage the same. By means of my seal, moisture is eflectively kept out of the electrical element.

It is a further feature of my invention to enclose the utensil containing the electrical heating- 30 unit in a vacuum chamber, or within an outer container including a wall of vacuum, or partial vacuum. Virtually all or the heat transmitted by the heating element to the utensil may in this manner be retained in the utensil, causing the device to operate with a very high efllciencyn This wall of vacuum may be between the double walls of an outer container formed of glass or the like; may be formed within a double wall container formed of metal or of ceramic mate- 40 rial; or may be a container having an outer wall .of one material, and an inner lining wall secured to the outer wall, with a partial vacuum between these walls.

It is a further feature of my inventionto pro- 45 vide a utensil which, when used in conjunction with an outer container including a vacuum wall, is removable from this outer container. This inper container is so designed that, when formed of cast metal, the electrical heating element may gobecastdirectlyinthebodyofthesame. When removed, my cooking utensil is so designeu that it may automatically disengage from electrical contacts in electrical connection with a source of supply of electrical current. The lifting of the utensilcookingportioniromtheouter container (Cl. ZIHQ disengages thisv portion from contacts mounted in the outer container. This permits the cooking portion to be washed without danger of short circuit or electrical shock.

These and other features and novel objects of' 5 my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

- In the drawings forming a part of my specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a skillet form of utensil embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the skillet shown in Figure 1 o! the drawings, the section being taken on a plane parallel to, and spaced from, the bottom of the utensil to show the embedded element.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of a form of construction of my seal for sealing the moisture from the heating element.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view in section of a slightly different form of seal from that ll-' lustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a pot or pan formed of cast material and embodyingmy seal for moisture.

Figure 6 is a vertical section taken through the center of an electrical utensil embodying my cast electrical element embodied in a cooking portion enclosed in an outer container.

Figure '1 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 6, illustrating a diflerent type oi construction of utensil embodying an outer vacuum chamber.

Figure 8 is'a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figures 6 and 7, showing still a slightly diflerent form of construction of utensil.

My utensil A, illustrated in Figures 1 through 4 of the drawings, comprises a flat bottom portion Ill, having provided thereon, if desired, peripheral upstanding walls ll extending thereabout. Projecting from one side or end thereof 40 is provided a box-shaped member i2 adapted to contain the terminals oithe electrical element embedded within the bottom III. A suitable handle, not shown,-may be provided if, and where. desired. v

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, an electrical heating element I3 is embedded within the base of the utensil A. This heating element I3 is preferably enclosed in a pipe or tube, with the element wire or resistance member being spaced so from the walls oi the tube by a suitable insulating material, which acts to insulate the element II from the pipe or tube ll electrically, but serves to conduct heat from the element It to the tube II. The heatins element is shaped-properly to u substantially cover the area of the bottom of the utensil A to provide an even heat thereto.

The heating element is electrically connected to plugs I! as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, or sockets l6, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. This connection is sealed in such a manner that no moisture may enter the ends of the tubes l4 enclosing the heating element l3. This enables the utensil A to be immersed in water for Bill washing purposes without injuring in any way the electrical heating element.

The ends of the tube I4 embedded within the bottom ill of the utensil A are enlarged or flared outwardly, and extend substantially flush with the edge of the bottom l0 within the box-like portion H. A block I I of insulating material fits closely adjacent the edge of the bottom I0, and is provided with nibs l8 which extend into the enlarged ends ll! of the tubes l4, to close the ends of these tubes. Passages are formed through the block I! to permit the end of the element Hi to extend through this block of insulation. Recesses-ln the block it provide a means of accommodating metallic cups 20, to which the ends of the element it are secured by means of bolts 2| or other suitable means.

A metallic rectangle 22 is provided with an internal head 23. of a shape commonly known as a dove-tail in cross-section. Within this rectangle, which is formed with a central recess containing the internal dove-tail, I cast an insulating portion of Bakelite or other similar material, including a pair of sockets l6 extending therethrough. As Bakelite and other material of this nature, cast under pressure and heat in most forms, has a tendency to shrink slightly as it hardens, it will shrink tightly about the sockets i6, sealing the joint thereto, between the sockets l6 and the cast insulating material 24. The shrinkage of the insulating material 2t from the metallic rectangle causes the dove-tail connection to become even more tight than previously, as may be readily seen. Thus a metallic ring is formed, having cast centrally therein a plat.- of insulating material having a pair of metallic sockets extending therethrcugh.

Title metallic ring or rectangle is then inserted in place at the end of the box-like portion on the utensil A. The sockets are engaged in the cups 2% recessed in the block W, to form an electrical contact from the ends of the element 93, through the cups to the sockets to. The ring or rectangle is then preferably attached g'itegrally to the portion by welding or the With this type that no liquid can pass the sockets as they are closed at one end. No liquid may pass through the insulation around these sockets it, due to the shrinkage of the insulation around these sockets. And no molsture'can pass through the joint between the insulation and the ring or rectangle 22 due to the shrinkage of this material about the dove-tail shaped bead 213.

My seal may also be formed as illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. This figure illustrates a fragmentary portion of an electrical heating element l3 extending into a box-like member cast integrally with the base oi the utensil. This box-like member is provided with an in ternal head 2'17 which is of dove-tail. shape crosssectionally. Plugs or prongs (or elects such as it) are connected to of the element it by means of suitable "col or the like. l1 desired, annular flanges in the form of dove of construction, it may be seen tails may extend around these prongs l5, to additionally anchor these prongs. Bakelite or other suitable insulating material is then cast into the box-like member 25. This material shrinks about the prongs I5, enclosing the same with a liquid-proof connection. The shrinkage of the insulating material, indicated at 3|, from the internal bead 21 causes an extremely tight joint between this insulating material and the bead 21, which will not permit leakage of moisture therethrough.

In Figure 5 of the drawings, I have illustrated my seal embodied in a kettle or pan type of utensil, in which the seal is formed in the bottom of the utensil, rather than in the side as in the previously described constructions. In this modification, the pan is provided with side walls 32 and a bottom- 33 in which is enclosed an electric heating element 34 enclosed in a tube or pipe 35..

The ends 36 of the tube 35 are bent downwardly,

and the ends thereof flared outwardly, substan-' tially flush with the surface of a recess 31 in the bottom 33. A disc 39 covers the ends of the tube 35, and is provided with nibs extending into the enlarged or flared ends 36 thereof. Holes 4| through the disc 39 and the nibs 40 permit the ends of the element 36 to extend through the disc. These ends of the element 34 are attached by bolts 42 or other suitable means to the ends of sockets 43 (or may be connected to prongs similar to those of Figure 4 of the drawings).

The sockets 43 are cast into molded insulation. 34 within a ring 45 having a dove-tail shaped internal bead 46 thereupon. As in the previous cases, the shrinkage of this insulation material slightly compresses the molded material against the sockets 43, and causes the joint betw insulation material 35 and the 'il'ilr"; come moisture-timot- The ring 35 is welds tegrally as shown at ll to the bottom otherwise attached with a moisture-pram Figure 6 of the drawings illustrates utensil B in which unit h a: that in Figure 5 of the drawings may 3, This figure illustrates a? i. (roost-1g tamer Qt as illustrated in n in Figure 'T, and embodying an elect. 3 heating element in the bottom thereo The side walls 32 are provided with circ ferentially extending flan e 58 extending a the at the oi the walls, to re his inner container in proper position with relation the outer corn train Ell. A cover 3 f suitable material exteacs over the top oi. inner container is.

The outer container at comprises an inner wall and an outer wall to at the top-edge thereof. nails 52 no. 5 3 are also joined. to form the walls 55 of a central flange The space between the inner and outer walls and lid is evacuated, to provide a vacuum or partial vacuum therein.

forming the base of the outer container aiaaaia The utensil indicatedas C in Figure '7 of the drawings is shown as including an inner container 66 formed of glass or ceramic material. Obviously, howeventhe inner container 49 of the construction of Figure 6 could be substituted for the arrangement, using the same or a similar type of outer container 61. In the form illustrated, however, the inner container 66 is provided with relatively thin side walls 69 and a bottom it of approximately the same thickness.

The outer container 61 is formed with an outer wall H of any desired contour, and is provided with an inner wall it spaced from the outer wall I! to provide a chamber therebetween which may be evacuated to provide a vacum or partial vacuum. The inner wall is shown anchored to the outer wall, the top edge" and'bottom edge 14 extending into recesses 75 and 16, respectively, in the outer wall It and being cemented, or fused by glazing, or otherwise, firmly in position.

Interposed between the inner wall 12 and the inner container 66, I provide an auxiliary receptacle into which the inner container slidably engages. This auxiliary receptacle I1 is externally grooved at 18 to accommodate a heating element 19 wrapped about this receptacle TI. The receptacle 11 thus forms a part of the heating unit by transmitting the heat from the element 19 to the air space directly surrounding the re-- ceptacle l'l.

A supporting disc II is positioned beneath the receptacle 11, and is spaced from the bottom plate Si, by a washer II, to provide an air space between these plates ll and II. The bottom plate 8| is supported by means of'a spider 83 formed of resilient wire or the like, to the lower extremity of the outer wall II; a shoulder 84 providing a bearing for the spider l3. Within the outer wall ll, below the shoulder 84, I provide a bottom covering plate 85 to seal the bottom of the utensil C.

A slightly difierent form of construction D is shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. In this form, an inner container 86 similar to that illustrated in Figure 7 is provided. A cover 81 is provided for this inner receptacle. The outer receptacle '9 supports the inner container 86 by engagement with a peripheral flange an at the top of the inner container. A guide ring 8| is secured within the outer container .9, having depending flanges 92 thereon for holding a hollow ring 93 in position surrounding the inner container 88. The hollow ring 93 may be evacuated, to provide a vacuum chamber surrounding the inner container l6. Externally of the vacuum chamber, and between this ring 83 and the outer wail or receptacle I8, I provide a ring of insulating material Oi.

Interposed between the vacuum chamber 91 and the inner compartment or receptacle I6, I provide an auxiliary receptacle .5 enclosing the major portion of the inner container Ii. This receptacle is similar to the receptacle TI, and is externally grooved at 95 to accommodate a heating element 81. The auxiliary receptacle 95 is supported in a manner similar to the receptacle ll, resting upon a disc or plate $39 separated from the bottom plate I by a washer till The bottom plate Hill is supported by means oi a spider I02 to the lower extremity of the outer container 89. A bottom cover plate I03 encloses the bottom of the utensil D. The top of the auxiliary container or receptacle 35 abuts the ring 9|, which holds these parts in proper relationship. The spider it? also supports the hollow evacuated ring 93.

It may be seen that I have provided a utensil which may be made in slightly difierent forms. The utensils which are enclosed, however, are provided with a vacuum space extending about the same; and in each case the receptacle adapted to contain the material to be cooked is washable, andimmersible in water. It may also be seen that my utensil is extremely eficient, as the insulation directs all of the heat from the heating element to the cooking receptacle.

Although I have illustrated a series of preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be readily understood that various changes coming within the spirit of my invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except to the extent indicated in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted as broadly as 'the state of the art will permit.

I claim:

1. The method of forming a utensil comprising enclosing an electrical heating element within a continuous metallic tubular member extending from end to end thereof, and casting a utensil body portion about said tubular member.

2. A utensil comprising two containers, an inner and an outer container engageable one within the other, a heating element within said, outer container connected to a suitable source of current supply, and a removable hermetically sealed vacuum chamber interposed between said outer container and said heating element,

3. A utensil comprising two containers engageable one within the other, the outer of said containers including a removable hermetically sealed vacuum chamber extending about said inner container, and a heating element between said inner and outer containers spaced from said vacuum chamber.

4. A utensil comprising two containers engageable one within the other, a removable hermetically sealed vacuum chamber positioned within the outer of said containers and a heating element interposed between said vacuum chamber and the inner of said containers.

ROBERT E. GUNTHER. 

